Operatives of the Nigerian Army have arrested 12 suspects in connection with acts of terrorism being carried out by a breakaway group of the Boko Haram insurgents, known as Mahmuda, reportedly occupying the Kanji Lake National Park in Niger State.
The group had also before now allegedly terrorised residents of neighbouring border communities in the Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas of Kwara, as well as Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Obinna Onubogu, who recently visited the camps in Kaiama and Baruten local government areas of Kwara State, disclosed this during his visit to have first hand information about how the officers and men are faring.
According to the GOC, the 12 suspects were picked up by the military at various locations during the raid of the Kanji Lake National Park and the border communities.
Two of those arrested, he added, are confirmed to be members of the bandit group, while others are accomplices in the criminal act.
“The counter insurgency operation, code named ‘Park strike four’, is meant to, among other things, flush out the bandits and clear the Kanji lake national park of all criminal tendencies”, he added.
The GOC added that the men and officers deployed in the operation are not resting on their oars to restore sanity at the park and raise the hope of the people around the area.
He said: “Through the raid, the troops have successfully combed a distance of at least 90 kilometres from Kemanji into the Kanji forest where its firm base is currently situated.
“The mission is already being accomplished as both the men and officers have succeeded in dislodging the bandits and other criminal elements.”